Great Comet of 1882

C/1882 R1-A
(Fragment A)

Photograph of the comet as seen from Cape Town by David Gill
Orbital characteristics[1]
Observation arc	141 days
Number of observations	4
Orbit type	Kreutz sungrazer
Aphelion	≈150 AU (1600) ≈145 AU (2200)[1]
Perihelion	0.0078 AU (1882) 0.0084 AU (2498)[2]
Semi-major axis	≈75 AU (1600) ≈72 AU (2200)
Eccentricity	0.999898 (1600) 0.999889 (2200)[1]
Orbital period	≈652 years (1600) ≈615 years (2200)[1]
Max. orbital speed	459 km/s (2498)[2]
Inclination	142°
Longitude of ascending node	348°
Argument of periapsis	70°
Last perihelion	1882 September 17
Next perihelion	≈2487 (Sekanina+Chodas)[3] ≈2498 (Horizons)[2]

The Great Comet of 1882 formally designated C/1882 R1, 1882 II, and 1882b, was a comet which became very bright in September 1882. It was a member of the Kreutz Sungrazers, a family of comets which pass within 1 R_☉ of the Sun's photosphere at perihelion.^[4][3] The comet was bright enough to be visible next to the Sun in the daytime sky at its perihelion.^[5] The comet made its closest approach to Earth on 16 September 1882 at 0.99 AU and then came to perihelion (closest approach to the Sun) the next day on 17 September.^[6]